The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-11-26

steadfastly refused TO accompany
her uncle to his city home.
II love my father and mother
better than do you," she resolutely
persisted, repelling her uncle's ca
resses, "and l have promised to be
Robins little wife"
But the united remonstrances and
persuasions of her friends at length
succeeded in overcoming her objec-
tions, and Kitten was taken away
little "Niobe, all in tears"
"You1l forget us all when you are
fine lady, Kitten" said Robert, as
kissed her goodbye.
81 never-never will forget you,
Robin" sobbed the girl. "Ill be
your wife just tho same. Same if
I'm not l'
And these were Kittens last
words.
81 wish you could make up your
mind to him, Katherine. He is one
of the finest yonng men know
81 do like him, uncle" said Kitty
Byington, shaking her brown curls
just as defantly as she had done in
the old Bolton farmhouse ten years
ago. II think he's perfectly splen-
didl"
"Then my little pet, why do you
treat him with such marked cold
ness and reserve? 1t is plain to see
he loves you most truly and tender
ly, and Why, my love, what's the
matter2 You are crying"
"It's because 1 am so miserable,
uncle" sobbed Kitten, hiding her
face on her uncle's shoulder. 81 do
love Mr.. Beverley, but 1 can't marry
him because-because I am al.
ready engaged"
"My dear girl, surely you attach
no importance to the childish com
pact entered into with the farmers
son years ago."
81 promised him, uncle, and ]
must not break my word"
'But that was mere child's play
''Robin does not consider so, uncle
his last letters speak of the time
when he shall come to claim me
Oh, uncle, ifI might only die frstP
katharine, you surely will moi
sacrifice yourself with all the beauty
talents, and accomplishments that
you possess, to be the wife of a coun-
try pumpkin"
81 have promised him, uncle"
"You have not even seen him
since you were both children"
"Butwe have corresponded, uncle.
"Katharine, this is idle folly-ar
exaggerated idea of duty, to refuse
Beverley because of this baby com
pact"
81 have promised, uncle, and un
less he himself releases me, l shall
adhere religiously to my word"
'May write to him, my love
and put the case?"
IF you like, uncle but 1 know
his nature better than you do. HI
will never give me up"
cat all events, the ex experiment. il
worth trying"
So Mr.. Byington wrote lonl
pleading, arguing letter to Rober
Bolton-a letter whose eloquence, h'
judged, might have melted the mos
selfish heart, and patiently AWAITED
the answer.
1t came at last, brief and decisive
Mr.. Bolton positively declined to re
lease Miss Byington from her en-
gagement, but would come to tow
to claim her finally on the following
Wednesday.
Thus died out the faint ray o
hope that glimmered in poor httl,
Kittens horizon.
4 i; X
"You confess, yourself, that yol
do love me, Kitty"
: 81 do love youp
"Then why are you deaf to m.
| prayers and entreaties?"
IL am pledged to another, MI
! Beverley. Do not strive to temp
me to break my word. His parent
were my friends when Twas alto
gether friendless. His devotion ha
? never failed me. Should l shrin
g from rewarding him now?"
9 The next day as Kitten sat in he
: boudoir, trying to read, a servar
. brought her the card of "Mr. Robel
y Bolton"
y "He is in the parlor, ma'am"
. Kitten rose and went down, as
p martyr, selfselected, might pass
the stake, pale yet resolute.
u Mr.. Beverley stood leaning again